New Hanover school board approves marine science academy

Students in Sandra Cecelski's Honors Marine Science class at Ashley High school dissect an Eastern Humboldt squid in February 2011. Cecelski said a marine science academy would turn out "highly trained individuals to fill my mud waders." StarNews file photo

Published: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 2:10 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 2:10 p.m.

To Ashley High School teacher Sandra Cecelski, marine science is about more than "fish and whales and things." And with the creation of a new marine science-focused academy in New Hanover County Schools, she's going to help students dive into the subject.

Facts

Inside the academy

What's involved? In addition to coursework that will give students six hours of college credit in marine science classes, students will hold marine science-related internships, participate in a weeklong summer research cruise expedition and complete a graduation project based on a marine science topic.When would it start? The first academy would start in the fall semester of the 2013-14 school year. Interested students will apply in the spring semester of the 2012-2013 school year.Who's eligible? For the first year, the program will accept 25 rising seniors from throughout New Hanover County. After that, 25 rising juniors and 25 rising seniors will be accepted each year.

Members of the New Hanover County Board of Education unanimously approved a proposal to open a marine science academy at Ashley High School in the fall of the 2013-14 school year. School officials say the program will strengthen the district's marine science offerings, give students a taste of college-level marine science work and, as program leader Cecelski put it, turn out "highly trained individuals to fill my mud waders."

The academy was developed by former Ashley High principal Kenneth Bowen and Cecelski, who has taught marine science classes in New Hanover County for 25 years. Students who complete academy classes will receive six hours of college-level marine science coursework through either the University of North Carolina Wilmington or Cape Fear Community College.

They'll also hold local marine science-related internships, participate in a weeklong summer research cruise expedition through UNCW's MarineQuest and complete a graduation project based on a marine science topic.

The academy will open with 25 seniors in the 2013-14 school year, then expand to 25 juniors and 25 seniors for the 2014-15 school year. High schoolers from anywhere in New Hanover County can apply to the academy, as long as they can provide their own transportation to Ashley High School. About $50,000 will be set aside for the program in its pilot year, said Superintendent Tim Markley.

The academy would expand on the current marine science curriculum in New Hanover County Schools, which consists of an oceanography class, a marine science class and hands-on research projects.

The program was born out of a challenge Markley issued to high school principals to create a "signature program at each school that would define that school," he said.

New Hanover High School's Lyceum Academy, which offers a faster-paced learning environment for students, is an example of that signature program. Lyceum has been in place since the 1998-99 school year.

The marine science academy proposal also comes a month after charter school consultant Norman George submitted a proposal to the state Board of Education to open Maritime Academy, a charter school focused on marine science, in New Hanover County. If approved by the state, that school would open in fall 2014.

Markley said the timing of the charter school's proposal was just coincidental, noting that teachers at Ashley High had been working on their proposal for a year before presenting it to the board.

<p>To Ashley High School teacher Sandra Cecelski, marine science is about more than "fish and whales and things." And with the creation of a new marine science-focused academy in New Hanover County Schools, she's going to help students dive into the subject. </p><p>Members of the New Hanover County Board of Education unanimously approved a proposal to open a marine science academy at Ashley High School in the fall of the 2013-14 school year. School officials say the program will strengthen the district's marine science offerings, give students a taste of college-level marine science work and, as program leader Cecelski put it, turn out "highly trained individuals to fill my mud waders."</p><p>The academy was developed by former Ashley High principal Kenneth Bowen and Cecelski, who has taught marine science classes in New Hanover County for 25 years. Students who complete academy classes will receive six hours of college-level marine science coursework through either the University of North Carolina Wilmington or <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic9937"><b>Cape Fear Community College</b></a>.</p><p>They'll also hold local marine science-related internships, participate in a weeklong summer research cruise expedition through <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic71"><b>UNCW</b></a>'s MarineQuest and complete a graduation project based on a marine science topic.</p><p>The academy will open with 25 seniors in the 2013-14 school year, then expand to 25 juniors and 25 seniors for the 2014-15 school year. High schoolers from anywhere in New Hanover County can apply to the academy, as long as they can provide their own transportation to Ashley High School. About $50,000 will be set aside for the program in its pilot year, said Superintendent Tim Markley.</p><p>The academy would expand on the current marine science curriculum in New Hanover County Schools, which consists of an oceanography class, a marine science class and hands-on research projects. </p><p>The program was born out of a challenge Markley issued to high school principals to create a "signature program at each school that would define that school," he said. </p><p>New Hanover High School's Lyceum Academy, which offers a faster-paced learning environment for students, is an example of that signature program. Lyceum has been in place since the 1998-99 school year.</p><p>The marine science academy proposal also comes a month after charter school consultant Norman George submitted a proposal to the state Board of Education to open Maritime Academy, a charter school focused on marine science, in New Hanover County. If approved by the state, that school would open in fall 2014.</p><p>Markley said the timing of the charter school's proposal was just coincidental, noting that teachers at Ashley High had been working on their proposal for a year before presenting it to the board.</p><p><i></p><p>Pressley Baird: 343-2328</p><p>On <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/news41"><b>Twitter</b></a>: @PressleyBaird</i></p>